Agenda Packets - 1987/09/14 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LUEET-7. Eminent Domain Law (1 The League recommends that the legislature undertake a comprehensive -tudy of the eminent domain statutes. The League believes the entire eminent domain process should be critically reviewed and streamlined. This examination should include a re-evaluation of the advisability of an alternative system of - review of condemnation awards. For example, a professional referee, a hearing examiner, etc., rather than a court; using a professional referee in lieu of three commissioners to establish the value of the land; the public purposes for which the law may be used, including its use to encourage economic development; the difficulty posed by the existence of pollution on the condemned property; and the legality and feasibility of collecting past property taxes on property in instances where the award is substantially in excess of the market value of the property for tax purposes. LUEET-8. Energy Conservation (C; The League supports legislation providing incentives for energy conservation in both the public and private sectors. Overall energy conservation strategies involving the public, private, commercial, and industrial sectors are being developed based on the — - rationale that conservation efforts achieve the greatest energy' savings at the lowest cost. Much of these efforts are receiving valuable assistance from the state energy office. The League believes that a city's individual energy conservation strategy can be accomplished if the legislature permits or establishes some of the following measures: 1. Conservation Efforts. The League recommends support of the use of bonding and special levies by local governments for implementation of energy conservation measures, including building energy audits. This authority would supplement the current municipal energy loan program. The legislature should also continue to encourage private sector conservation through tax credits and other incentives and should explore the possibility of expanding incentives for earth -sheltered, super -insulated, and underground development. 2. District Heating. The League supports efforts to promote statewide applications of district heating technology, providing additional funds or the ability to special levy fcr conducting district heating feasibility studies at the community level, ensuring consideration of district heating potential in the power plant siting process, and continuing use of the State District Heating Bond Program for renovation of existing district heating systems. 3. Energy Assistance. Rising energy costs will continue to place burden on the economic vitality of communities in Minnesota. The Le7que recommends: - 47 -